Scales allow floating: mosquito

1 of 1 The microstructures and nanostructures of the scales on a mosquito’s leg / Wu et al. / License

Legs of mosquitoes allow it to float due to scales that structurally maximize trapping of air.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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	Buoyancy

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Water repelling surfaces Flotation devices

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"We found that the mosquito’s legs are covered by numerous scales consisting of the uniform microscale longitudinal ridges (nanoscale thickness and microscale spacing between) and nanoscale cross ribs (nanoscale thickness and spacing between). Such special delicate microstructure and/or nanostructure on the leg surface give a water contact angle of ~153° and give a surprising high water-supporting ability. It was found that the water-supporting force of a single leg of the mosquito is about 23 times the body weight of the mosquito, compared with a water strider’s leg giving a water-supporting force of about 15 times the body weight of the insect.” (Wu et al. 2007:1)

About the inspiring organism

Culicidae
Culicidae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Water repelling surfaces, materials or fabrics. More efficient floatation devices.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Manufacturing

References

Wu C; Kong XQ; Wu D. 2007. Micronanostructures of the scales on a mosquito’s legs and their role in weight support. Physical Review E. 76(017301): 1-4.

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